Sitha Maliwa
YFM, South Africa’s trailblazing commercial radio station, has officially revealed its much-anticipated 2025 lineup. The station, known for its commitment to nurturing emerging talent and reinventing traditional broadcasting, is ready to make waves with an exciting new slate of shows, fresh faces, and a bold approach to keep listeners engaged and energised.
With its stronghold in the industry, YFM has continued to evolve, attracting a wider audience and making significant strides in shifting brand perceptions. The 2025 lineup promises to take things to a whole new level, bringing even more dynamism to the airwaves. As always, YFM is all about creating the most vibrant listening experience for both loyal followers and newcomers.
Starting off the lineup with a bang, YFM introduces Club Y, a high-energy new music show that replaces the iconic YTKO mix show. Club Y will feature a rotating group of talented DJs throughout the week, blending the best in current chart-toppers with up-and-coming stars. With names like Shakes x Les, Thee Buhle, Ggoldie, Lesedi The DJ, Rarri, Venom, DJ Pedabotic, Legendary Crisp, DJ Zan-D, DJ Samba, and Just Mo, the show promises to deliver the hottest tracks and the wildest mixes every Monday through Saturday. Expect a fresh fusion of styles, sounds and an unrelenting stream of vibes to keep listeners dancing all day long.
Weekday mornings are getting a major overhaul with The Way Up, hosted by the dynamic duo Nia Brown and Okay Wasabi. Airing from 05:00 to 09:00, this show brings energy and excitement to kickstart the day. Xtremme, along with his new show contributor Noni Khumalo, will continue to bring empowerment and inspiration to Morning Break from 09:00 to 12:00. And it doesn’t stop there; The Lunch League with Caddy and Yvtte takes over from 12:00 to 15:00, offering midday heat for listeners on the go.
The evening hours are equally packed with top-tier talent, including Happy Hour with Sinaye, a new addition to the lineup, airing from 18:00 to 19:00. Club Y takes over the 19:00 to 20:00 slot, followed by UNCENSORED with Tulz Madala and Dimpho Mokgotho from 20:00 to 22:00. And for late-night listeners, Savage Nights, hosted by Thabo X and Shamiso, wraps up the evening from 22:00 to 00:00 on Sunday to Wednesday.
Sizwe M, a well-known voice at YFM, will continue to energize weekend mornings with Wake ‘n Shake from 06:00 to 10:00 on Saturdays and Sundays. Following that, 2024’s BeTheNext competition winner, Karen Mthethwa, will take over the weekend with The Glow Up (10:00 to 14:00) and Sunday Feels Part II (10:00 to 14:00 on Sundays).
For those looking for some variety, Supreme Saturdays with Thabo X will air from 14:00 to 17:00, while The Rizz hosted by Shamiso will follow from 17:00 to 18:00. Later, DJ Fae Fae will host All Girls On Deck from 18:00 to 20:00, showcasing the best female talent in the industry.
On Sundays, the vibe continues with Sunday Feels I and II before The Global Experience with Just Mo airs from 14:00 to 18:00. The weekend culminates with Sundaze hosted by Fif_Laaa, providing the perfect wrap-up for the week.
YFM is taking things further with its Beyond FM strategy, a move to expand the station’s reach with a variety of digital-only shows. Tell Us Y, hosted by Hey Shawty, Culture Unlocked with Perceey ASF, and Yonda Way with Zingah are all new digital shows that reflect the station’s commitment to innovation and engaging a broader audience.
These shows will not only add diversity to YFM’s programming but also create a space for fresh voices and perspectives to flourish online. With content tailored for social media platforms, the new shows will enhance the overall experience for YFM’s dedicated listeners and online followers.
As YFM embraces new talent, the station bids farewell to two beloved members of its family, Supta and Mthaux. Both personalities have made lasting contributions to the station and will always hold a special place in the hearts of YFM fans. While they’ll be missed, the YFM family wishes them all the best in their future endeavours.
Looking ahead, YFM’s Managing Director, Haseena Cassim, shared her excitement for what’s to come: “We’ve always been bold at Y, and this year’s lineup will once again prove this. As much as the 2025 lineup still includes some of your current favourites, the new faces will join them in bringing fresh and dynamic elements to the station to push the platform to new heights in the year ahead.”
The 2025 lineup is live from Tuesday, April 1st, and promises to deliver on YFM’s slogan: Y NOT? Be unstoppable in everything you do. – @NewsSA_Online